MSG Free Classic Ginger Lemonade
Bright, zingy, and refreshingly homemade, this ginger lemonade is the kind of drink that makes you wonder why you ever reached for a bottle. The base is a simple ginger syrup made by simmering fresh sliced ginger with sugar and water until fragrant and slightly thickened — no flavor packets, no concentrates, nothing processed hiding in the mix. That steeping step is where the magic happens, letting the ginger fully infuse the syrup before it ever meets the lemon juice. Freshly squeezed lemons bring a brightness that bottled juice just can't match, and the whole thing comes together in a single pitcher with cold water and a good stir. For anyone avoiding additives and flavor enhancers, this recipe is as clean as it gets — every ingredient is whole, recognizable, and exactly what it says it is. Serve it over ice with a few mint sprigs and lemon slices for a glass that looks as good as it tastes.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the ginger syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 oz fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
For the lemonade
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 6–8 lemons)
- 3 cups cold water
For serving
- ice, for serving
- lemon slices, for serving (optional)
- fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine 1 cup water, the sugar, and the sliced ginger in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 3–4 minutes.
- 2
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, until the syrup is slightly thickened and fragrant with ginger.
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